KUCHING, Dec 8: Civil servants need to adapt quickly to the changing working environment using technology and be well-informed of the government policies of the day.
In pointing this out, Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg said the civil service, in particular the Public Service Commission needs to adjust to the needs of the future as envisioned by the government.
“We are moving towards a digital economy where every facet of life is based on technology.
“In other words, we also need to have civil servants who are recruited into the civil service who are visionary.
“You (civil servants) must have access to our post pandemic development strategy up to the year 2030,”
“In this era of technology, the civil service has to look into the tools that you use,” he said when officiating the Public Service Commission’s 60th anniversary celebration at the Sarawak Legislative Assembly building here today.
Abang Johari believed that the whole structure of the economy in the future will change because of technology.
He added that Sarawak currently engages with international investors who are managing their businesses using technology.
Abang Johari asserted that civil servants who have digital knowledge will be able to understand the needs of the investors.
With that, there will be more investment to Sarawak which in turn will enhance and strengthen the State’s economy, he said.
Moving forward, Abang Johari believed employment opportunities will be derived from working in big conglomerates and self-entrepreneurship.
On another note, Abang Johari pointed out that the Sarawak government under his leadership will not exert “pressure” to the Public Service Commission and will ensure that the commission will remain an independent institution.
To ensure good delivery of public service, Abang Johari emphasised that civil servants need to prioritise integrity in carrying out their duties diligently and responsibly.
He stressed that the Sarawak government under his leadership is committed to uphold integrity as a working culture in the society.
Apart from that, he disclosed that the Sarawak government has agreed to relocate Public Service Commission’s office from the current office at Wisma Satok to a new office on the 16 th Floor and 17 Floor of Hikmah Exchange which is expected to be completed by the third quarter of next year.
Meanwhile, Public Service Commission chairman Datu Abdul Ghafur Shariff said the commission has taken initiatives to improve work processes, procedures and policies in line with the latest situation using information technology such as electronic recruitment, electronic scholarship application and in-house data management.
On the recruitment of Sarawakians from various multi-ethnic groups in Sarawak, Abdul Ghafur said the commission practices decentralised recruitment and selection policy.
As such, he pointed out that the commission hired people where there are vacancies in various government departments and local authorities in Sarawak as opposed to being selective.
On the commission sustaining up to 60 years since its establishment, he asserted that it was due to the support of a stable, flexible and caring Sarawak government.
Aside from that, Abdul Ghafur said Abang Johari has remained impartial and had never intervene and influence any decision in the administration of the Public Service Commission.
Among those present were Minister in the Chief Minister Department (Integrity and Ombudsman) Datuk Talib Zulpilip, State Secretary Datuk Amar Jaul Samion, Deputy State Secretary (Rural Transformation) Datu Ik Pahon Joyik, Deputy State Secretary (Performance and Service Delivery Transformation) Datu Dr Sabariah Putit, Public Service Commission deputy chairman Datu Romie Sigan Daniel, State deputy attorney-general Saferi Ali, State Financial Secretary Dato Sri Dr Wan Lizozman Wan Omar and Public Service Commission board member Datu Abdillah Adam. — DayakDaily
